They rose to their feet and cheered when the announcer declared: “The next president of the United States … Donald Trump.”

During his speech, Donald Trump attacked Chinese currency manipulation (bad), the proposed Iranian nuclear deal (worse), his political rivals (weak) and the news media (liars), much to the delight of the crowd.

Trump also criticized Ford Motor Company for its plans to spend billions on an auto plant in Mexico.

“How does it help us? Except they’ll be closing plants in Michigan and lots of other places,” Trump declared.

More than 100 protesters lined the street into the Birch Run Expo Center before Trump's speech

Credit Steve Carmody / Michigan Radio

Trump spoke about solving problems, but did not give specifics. Before the speech, reporters asked him if he was asking voters to “trust” him to come up with solutions.

“There does have to be a trust,” Trump told reporters. “If you don’t trust you’re not going to do very well.”

While Trump spoke to thousands inside the Birch Run Expo Center, a small group protested the billionaire businessman’s statements about veterans, immigrants and women.